Fire litigation ends, neighbors agree on services

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The following is a press release provided by the City of Canyon Lake.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2015, the City of Canyon Lake’s City Council approved two agreements that would provide its residents with fire services from surrounding stations as part of the County’s regional response system.

Lake Elsinore, Menifee and the County of Riverside have now reviewed and approved the 4-party cost-sharing agreement, which brings to a close the tense situation regarding fire services in Canyon Lake. Along with the service agreements, Canyon Lake and the County of Riverside have both approved a settlement agreement to bring an end to their fire service related litigation.

[pullquote]Lake Elsinore, Menifee and the County of Riverside have now reviewed and approved the 4-party cost-sharing agreement, which brings to a close the tense situation regarding fire services in Canyon Lake. [/pullquote]

Coordinated through the County of Riverside, the three cities have come together with the County to find a regional solution that provides financial assistance and service stability to all involved for the next year. During the year, the City of Canyon Lake will evaluate options for establishing its own municipal Fire Department.

Since July 1, 2015, Canyon Lake had been in a local state of emergency, requesting assistance for emergency fire calls in the City. Emergency medical services continued to be provided by American Medical Response through their countywide contract during the emergency declaration.

In previous years, Riverside County with its fire partner cities of Lake Elsinore and Menifee provided services to the Main Gate and East Gate areas of Canyon Lake. With the new agreements, these arrangements will stay the same and take advantage of the County’s integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection system.

The City of Canyon Lake will be providing funding for specific personnel in each of the neighboring cities’ fire stations, as well as funding dispatch and administrative support through the County of Riverside.

“This agreement is a significant step in the right direction for all partners in our region,” says Lake Elsinore Mayor Steve Manos. “As a result, Lake Elsinore will be able to maintain the same level of fire and emergency services that our residents have received for the last few years.”

Supervisor Kevin Jeffries praises the cities of Menifee and Lake Elsinore for agreeing to provide services in Canyon Lake. And he notes that AMR ambulance service deserves recognition and thanks for providing emergency services while Canyon Lake was without a fire department. “The County of Riverside believes the residents of Canyon Lake deserve proper fire protection services and is pleased to be a part of this regional fire protection solution,” he says.

While these agreements will not re-open Fire Station 60 in the City of Canyon Lake, the Canyon Lake City Council is reassuring residents that efforts to re-open the station are continuing.

Mayor Jordan Ehrenkranz says, “At the September 15th meeting, we formed a standing ad-hoc committee to continue efforts to open the City’s Fire Department in an open, transparent way. In the beginning, there was difficulty talking about the efforts due to the litigation, but we are at a point where we can openly discuss and share the information we have on the new department. We are looking forward to moving on in a positive relationship with our neighboring cities and the County.”